You Can Reap Chocolate's Benefits, Even If You Shun Sugar!
Posted Dec 18 2008 8:14pm
Lately, it seems that one study after another has been touting the virtues of chocolate and cocoa, including the many benefits we can get from antioxidant compounds called flavanols.
In fact, previously I reported that scientists contend flavanols from cocoa could potentially help ward off vascular disease, which can cause heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, dementia and hypertension.
And Mars (the chocolate maker) is footing research to show that cocoa -- which most of its chocolate candies contain -- can be used to treat diabetes, strokes and vascular disease.
For instance, one study focused on the role of flavanols in reducing cardiovascular disease.
Others studies focused, WebMDHealth reported, on how a substance found in cocoa could stimulate the body's processing of nitric oxide. This is a compound that's critical for healthy blood flow and blood pressure and could promote overall heart health.
But those of us who shun sugar regularly have been frustrated, because we felt left out. How could we consume chocolate or cocoa and steer clear of sugar at the same time?
Quite coincidentally, within the last couple of weeks, I found two different types of chocolate -- pure and simple cocoa beans.
And, yes, both are completely sugarfree!
First, a couple of weeks ago, I discovered Live-Live's raw, Venezuelan cacao beans, which contain no sugar, preservatives, emulsifiers or chemicals. You can just chomp on the beans to derive cacao's benefits or even blend it with fruit, soy milk or nut milks. (Available in 2-ounce, 5-ounce and 9-ounce bags.)
Then, yesterday, when visiting my local health foods store, Health Nuts, I chanced upon "Really-Raw & Organic Chocolate Beans" from EatRaw.com. So yesterday, I chomped on a couple of these whole-peeled, Mexican cacao beans and didn't have any blood sugar woes.
Those of you who consume sugary chocolate may not understand my enthusiasm, but it's pretty exciting to be able to eat sugarfree chocolate after all these years without!
Lately, it seems that one study after another has been touting the virtues of chocolate and cocoa, including the many benefits we can get from antioxidant compounds called flavanols.
In fact, previously I reported that scientists contend flavanols from cocoa could potentially help ward off vascular disease, which can cause heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, dementia and hypertension.
And Mars (the chocolate maker) is footing research to show that cocoa -- which most of its chocolate candies contain -- can be used to treat diabetes, strokes and vascular disease.
For instance, one study focused on the role of flavanols in reducing cardiovascular disease.
Others studies focused, WebMDHealth reported, on how a substance found in cocoa could stimulate the body's processing of nitric oxide. This is a compound that's critical for healthy blood flow and blood pressure and could promote overall heart health.
But those of us who shun sugar regularly have been frustrated, because we felt left out. How could we consume chocolate or cocoa and steer clear of sugar at the same time?
Quite coincidentally, within the last couple of weeks, I found two different types of chocolate -- pure and simple cocoa beans.
And, yes, both are completely sugarfree!
Then, yesterday, when visiting my local health foods store, Health Nuts, I chanced upon "Really-Raw & Organic Chocolate Beans" from EatRaw.com. So yesterday, I chomped on a couple of these whole-peeled, Mexican cacao beans and didn't have any blood sugar woes.
Those of you who consume sugary chocolate may not understand my enthusiasm, but it's pretty exciting to be able to eat sugarfree chocolate after all these years without!